We're off to Grange Park Opera on Wednesday for the first night of Norma with Claire Rutter in the title role.
Bellini wrote the opera for two sopranos, Giuditta Pasta and Giulia Grisi. Grisi sang Adalgisa, but went on to sing Norma herself. Because Norma and Adalgisa sing quite a few duets, a tradition sprang up of casting Adalgisa as a mezzo-soprano, something which Grange Park is doing (the role will be sung by Sara Fulgoni). But one interesting musical feature of Claire Rutter's performance will be Casta Diva. Bellini wrote the aria in G, but seems to have transposed it down a tone to F at Pasta's request. Nowadays it is usually sung in F or even E.
We look forward to the performance with interest.
Monday, 1 June 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Popular Posts this month
-
What about blowing the box to pieces: composer Eímear Noone on writing for video games, films and TVEímear Noone (Photo: Andy Paradise) Dublin and LA-based composer Eímear Noone is known for her scores for video games, films and TV. She re...
-
Bellini: The Capulets & the Montagues - Brenton Spiteri, Jessica Cale, Masimba Ushe - English Touring Opera, 2025 (Photo: © Richard H...
-
Matthias Wiesner, Lynn Arnold & Peter Mallinson recording Two Violas: Regeneration at St Peter's Church, Boughton Monchelsea, Kent ...
-
The Berlin Singakademie building, designed by Carl Theodor Ottmer, 1825-1827, now Maxim Gorki Theater painting by Eduard Gaertner, 1843 Bach...
-
Mozart: The Magic Flute - Matthew Kellett - Charles Court Opera (Photo: Bill Knight) Mozart: The Magic Flute; Matthew Kellett, Alison Lang...
-
Gimnazija Kranj Symphony Orchestra I get all sorts of mail, people sending my information on concerts and recordings. Everything gets gl...
-
Rebecca Meltzer, Bertie Baigent & Guy Verrall-Withers with the Waterperry Opera Festival team in 2024 The arts administration world is r...
-
St Nicholas Church, Leipzig Where Bach's St John Passion first performed Bach: St John Passion (1725); Solomon's Knot; Wigmore Hal...
-
Ada Witczyk performing music from the 2023 Růžičková Composition Competition Violinist Ada Witczyk 's new album, New Baroque - Sonatas ...
-
Schubert Birthday Concert - Ammiel Bushakevitz, Konstantin Krimmel - Wigmore Hall (Image from Live Stream ) Schubert Birthday Concert : Sch...
I hope you enjoyed. I saw the dress rehearsel on Monday. It was terrific. Great.
ReplyDeleteThe singing was first class, and Rutter was simply wonderful - outstanding. And the key? G !!
(It's only the second time I've been to Grange Park. First time was last year for Rusalka. That was a wow as well).